Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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Final Comment Letter
SMU Pot Creek
The New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC) proposes to construct, operate, and maintain one buried 4-inch-diameter polyethylene (PE) natural gas distribution pipeline, approximately 4.1 miles (25,746 feet) long (Action). This project is located on lands administered by the Camino Real Ranger District (CRRD), and Carson National Forest (CNF), (Figure 1).
The right-of-way would be 25 feet on each side of centerline. A staging area for mobilization, equipment staging, and sundry purposes will be placed on private land.
Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument draft RMP and EIS
The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (Monument) Draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) describes and analyzes a range of alternatives for managing public lands within the Monument planning area. The planning area encompasses lands within the Monument's boundaries regardless of surface ownership or jurisdiction. Within the planning area, the United States (U.S.) Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers approximately 476,591 acres of surface land, referred to as the decision area. The decision area does not include state, municipal, or private land. On May 21, 2014, President Barack Obama signed Presidential Proclamation 9131 (79 Federal Register 30431), which identified approximately 496,330 acres of federal lands and interest in lands owned or controlled by the government of the United States as the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (BLM 2014). The Monument is composed of Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-administered lands encompassing five rugged mountain ranges surrounding the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Protection of the Monument was established to "preserve its cultural, prehistoric, and historic legacy and maintain its diverse array of natural and scientific resources, ensuring that the prehistoric, historic, and scientific values of this area remain for the benefit of all Americans." The Monument's current management is directed by the existing Mimbres RMP (BLM 1993), relevant amendments that apply to this planning area, and any interim Monument guidance. Although some decisions in the Mimbres RMP are still relevant, there are management issues, direction, and desired future conditions that need to be addressed, given the Presidential Proclamation. The Monument was established as a new planning area independent of other BLM-administered lands; to address these issues, the BLM has prepared a stand-alone document (OMDPNM RMP/EIS) pursuant to the BLM's regulation for resource management planning found in 43 CFR 1610 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
Environmental Impact Statement, Land Management Plan
Minimal Impact Exploration Application, Alhambra Project, Standard Silver Corp.
On April 18th, 2024 the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received an application from Standard Silver Corp. for a minimal impact exploration permit called Alhambra Project. The application proposes to drill up to seventy five (75) drill holes up to 200 feet deep on nine (9) drill pads, creating 3.484 acres of total disturbance. MMD is tracking this permit as Permit No. GR094EM. The proposed drilling sites are located approximately ~ 13 miles from Silver City on US 180 west.
New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC) has submitted a Standard Form 299 Right-of-Way (ROW) application to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Taos Field Office (TFO), requesting the long-term use of public lands and proposes to construct, operate, and maintain one buried six-inch-diameter polyethelene (PE) natural gas distribution pipeline, approximately 14 miles (73,656 feet) long (Project). The general location is approximately 16 miles southwest of Taos, NM, Taos County. The new BLM Right of Way (ROW) would be 25 feet on each side of centerline of the pipeline. A staging area for mobilization, equipment staging, and sundry purposes will be placed on private land outside of the BLM ROW.
Hydrostatic test break locations to confirm if there are any environmental concerns with the locations? We will be excavating to attach the test headers for pressure testing, so if there is a NMGC hotzone, arroyo, or other sensitive environmental issue, we want to avoid them.
On April 23, 2024, the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received an application from THEMAC Resource Group ("Applicant") requesting a minimal impact exploration permit for the Copper Flat Exploration Project 2024, Permit No. SI061EM. The Application proposes 23 drill holes and drill pads to disturb approximately 4 acres of United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property and/or Private Patented claims approximately 4 miles Northeast of Hillsboro, NM. MMD has deemed the application administratively complete. Your agency was notified of a site inspection that was scheduled and occurred on May 23rd.
The City of Deming proposes to install a new set of docks at their existing Trees Lake Park. The docks will allow for the launch of non-motor powered watercraft, such as kayaks. It will require anchoring to the shore and a gangway, and shoreline modifications for access. The park area was a former gravel mine pit, and the park area has been extensively modified and graded, leaving no areas of natural vegetation. The lake does now attract typical waterbirds, such as ducks. The parcel contains few trees, although planted. The City plans to complete the installation within the three years under an LWCF grant if awarded.
University Avenue I-10 TO I-25 Roadway Cross-Section Reallocation Study and Design
The City of Las Cruces, New Mexico (City or Las Cruces) is looking to complete a roadway cross-section reallocation study along the portion of University Avenue that connects Interstate 10 (I-10) and Interstate 25 (I-25), which is an important east-west connector for the city. This portion of University Avenue also links residents and visitors to the New Mexico State University (NMSU) campus. Because of the corridor's proximity to NMSU, the corridor experiences a high volume of nonmotorized users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. The public's concern regarding pedestrian and bicyclist safety were expressed in recent public involvement activities for a water line project along this section of University Avenue. Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users. The need to better accommodated these road users in the design and construction of transportation facilities was head by the City of Las Cruces engineers and was the impetus for this project.
Phase 2 of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC), Mountain-Plains Southwest
By June 24, 2024, DOE invites the public to submit comments on the potential NIETCs on the preliminary list, including about:
-Transmission needs within the potential NIETCs and associated consumer harms;
-The geographic boundaries of the potential NIETCs; and
-Potential impacts on environmental, community, and other resources within the potential NIETCs.
The Forest Service is proposing to authorize Robert L. Bayless, Producer LLC to construct and operate a natural gas and water pipeline on the Jicarilla Ranger District. The proposed project is identified as the La Jara 1-2 00 I1-1 Pipeline Project. An overview of the project area is depicted in Figure I. This project will facilitate initial
development of the La Jara Mancos Unit (Unit No. NMNM I 05770971 ).
This project will involve surface disturbance and construction activities on private land, within the Jicarilla Ranger District boundary, and on National Forest System (NFS) lands. The Forest Service will only approve those activities on NFS lands. Activities located on private land will be approved by the Bureau of Land Management- Fannington Field Office and the respective private landowners. Please see Figure 2.The proposed action consists of construction, maintenance, and operation of the following (all acreages provided are approximate):
Our client proposes the construction of a 199-foot self-support tower and associated ground-based equipment inside a proposed 50-foot-by-50-foot lease area. A 15-foot-wide access and utility easement is proposed to extend from the lease area approximately 260 feet east and then north to join an existing gravel road, and then west for approximately 180 feet to join State Highway 18. An 8-foot-wide utility easement is proposed to extend approximately 75 feet west from the lease area to a proposed fiber vault to be installed at the right-of-way. This site is currently an unutilized portion of desert land along State Highway 18.
White Sands Missile Range Supplemental EA for Expanded Test Activities at Lee and Yucca Impact Areas
The White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) Test Center has prepared the draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Expanded Test Activities at Lee and Yucca Impact Areas at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The purpose of the proposed action is to expand Lee and Yucca Impact Areas and increase the number of long-range test missions. Extended range testing is essential for the development of effective weapon systems with the capability for precision engagement beyond the range of current systems ensuring combat readiness of the United States armed services and protect national security. The draft SEA assessed impacts on valued environmental components for three alternatives. The preferred alternative proposes to increase the size of Lee and Yucca Impact Areas as well as to increase the number of test missions into these areas. Environmental analysis focused on the impacts from increasing the area of and number of test missions into these impact areas. The environmental analysis shows there will be no significant impact.
BLM Gila Lower Box Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) and EA
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District announces a 30-day public comment period for the final Recreation Area Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact for the Gila Lower Box Area. The public comment period is open from April 17 to June 1, 2024. The 11,200-acre Gila Lower Box RAMP planning area is located in Hidalgo and Grant counties, approximately 20 miles northwest of the town of Lordsburg. The planning area includes the Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area, the Gila Lower Box Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and the Gila Lower Box Special Recreation Management Area. The plan will guide future development and provide management direction for recreation resources within the Gila Lower Box Area. The planning area is characterized by cliffs and steep canyon sides rising above a significant riparian area. The area is home to several threatened, endangered and sensitive wildlife species as well as designated critical habitat for these species. The area also provides important habitat to a variety of native plants and wildlife. While recreation is an important use of the planning area, unmanaged recreation use has resulted in disturbance and damage to sensitive resources. There is a need to implement primitive and sustainable recreation actions to protect the Gila Lower Box Area while being consistent with the management goal of protecting riparian values outlined in the 1993 Mimbres Resource Management Plan.
Fleming Tank Road Low Water Crossings Improvements
The proposed project would perform various improvements on two (2) existing low water crossings. These involve ephemeral drainages. Specific improvements include installing rock-fill gabion retaining walls and blankets to address scour issues.
New Minimal Impact Mining Permit Application, Chloride North Face Placer No. 1
On March 26, 2024, the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received a permit application from Mitchell Vokaty for a new minimal impact mining permit in Sierra County, New Mexico. Pursuant to 19.10.3.304.H NMAC, MMD is requesting comments from your agency regarding this application. The application from the operator can be downloaded from MMD's website at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/mmd/si060mn-chloride-north-face-placer-no-1/
Wetlands (those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions).
Areas that will result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of endangered or threatened species as identified in either 50 CFR Part 17 or by the New Mexico Department of Fish and Game in its most recent biennial review.
Response to Agencies’ Comments Revision 23-1 to Continental Mine and Mill – Update to Closure/Closeout Plan
The New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) received a response (Response) to agencies' comments from Freeport-McMoRan Chino Mines Company (Chino) dated April 30, 2024 as part of the process of a revision to Permit No. GR002RE, for the Continental Mine Closure/Closeout Plan (CCP) Update (Application). Chino responded to MMD's comments and other agency comments.
TowerCom XI-B, LLC plans to construct an 85-foot tall (overall height including appurtenances) monopole telecommunications structure within a proposed 75-foot by 75-foot lease area. The proposed facility would be accessible and receive utilities via a proposed approximate 581-foot long by 35-foot wide access/utility easement. The proposed structure would not be lit and would not include guy-wires. The project will be located at 5120 West Kansas Street, Hobbs, Lea County, New Mexico. The proposed project area is occupied by a gravel-covered lot associated with an aggregate materials excavation firm. The proposed access/utility easement would originate on the northern side of West Kansas Street and traverse in a northerly direction until reaching the proposed lease area. The project area is located in an area generally occupied by gravel-covered lots, vacant desert, and commercial development.
Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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